Staff Party Gig

The staff of QMU had a party on Thursday, and QM Blue were invited to perform for an hour as the evening commenced. I'm really proud of my musicians, who were pretty much faultless, and the vocals of Vikki Elliott were as professional as anything I've heard. If there was a problem, it is that we were on first, before the audience had a time to loosen up (a metaphor for being sloshed!). Most of them had a drink in one hand and a plate in the other, making enthusiastic applause very difficult. If we had been performing later on, I'm sure Lou, our breathtakingly-brilliant bass player, would have indulged in some crowd surfing!

Javanese songs

Today I was sung to in Javanese by Yeni, a student from Java (of course). Yeni is only here for three months, yet is happy to share part of her culture. She will be singing two songs for the March 28th concert. In formal settings, these songs might be accompanied by a gamelan orchestra (tuned percussion), and sometimes nowadays in pop settings with synthesisers and drum machines. But occasionally a singer might just accompany herself with simple chords on a guitar or ukelele. So, this same concert will see your Musician In Residence make his debut as an accompanist for Javanese songs. Stranger things have happened...and ARE happening.

QM Blue gig notice

There is a staff party at The Hub (top of the Royal Mile) on Thursday 22nd February to celebrate the change from QMUC to QMU, and QM Blue (our jazz and blues band) have been invited to play. Doors open at 8pm, and we shall be playing from then for an hour as folk enter. The band are really up for it and have resurected some of the songs from last term. Listen out for our super-funky take on 'Watermellon Man' by Herbie Hancock, and remember to arrive early so as not to miss our set.

The concert by staff and students on March 28th (Corstorphine Theatre, 6pm) is taking shape, and will include folk songs from Java, sung in Javanese, more Indian singing by Sumi, jazz songs, traditional music, blues and songs from the courts of Mary, Queen of Scots and James VI - the usual variety show. There are also a couple of QM bands, unrelated to QMusic, who will be given a chance to shine. Looking forward to hearing them.

Peace - Middle East - Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Festival is not the only International Festival we have here in Edinburgh...

The 4th International Festival of Middle Eastern Spirituality and Peace will start very soon. All the details can be found here (the brochure can be viewed as a PDF): http://www.eicws.org/component/option,com_docman/task,cat_view/gid,39/Itemid,29/

It includes concerts by great artists, and poetry readings, plays, talks, dance, etc, etc. Workshops too - I hope to be attending one on Moorish-Andalusian music.